Apparatus for production of carbon black



Aug. 23, 1960 R. F; STROUF' APPARATUS FOR PRODUCTION OF CARBON BLACK 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 17, 1957 FIG. 3

INVENTOR. R. F. STROUP ALAM w l Aug. 23, 1960 Filed June 17, 1957 R. F. STROUP 2,950,179

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCTION OF CARBON BLACK 3 Sheets-Sheet. 2

A 7' TORNEKS Aug. 23, 1960 R. F. s'rRouP 2,

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCTION OF CARBON BLACK Filed June 1'7, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheer. 3

United States Patent APPARATUS FUR PRQDUCTION OF CARBON BLACK Ross F. Stroup, Borger, Tex., assignor to Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation of Delaware Filed June 17, 1957, Ser. No. 665,886

4 Claims. (Cl. 23-2595) This invention relates to apparatus for the production of carbon black. In one aspect this invention relates to an improved valve which can be employed in apparatus for the production of carbon black.

In the production of carbon black in a furnace reactor, an elongated atmospheric cooling conduit (product conduit) often is employed to convey the eflluent products from the individual reactors to a central product gathering line. When the furnace reactors are placed in operation, it is customary to open a vent line in the cooling conduit to prevent the initial combustion products from entering said product gathering line. This vent line remains open a short time and then must be sealed to prevent wasteful loss of and air pollution by the carbon black. These vent lines have long posed a serious problem because large satisfactory valves have not been available. The furnace efiluent comprising carbon black suspended in a gas may be at temperatures above 1000 F., for example, and subsequent cooling of the valve often results in condensate of a corrosive nature. In addition, the very nature of carbon black itself is such as to render most valves ineffective. Attempts have been made to solve this problem by the use of slide valves, gate valves, butterfly valves and conventional plug valves. However, all of these valves have proved to be unsatisfactory for one reason or another.

In prior art apparatus for the production of carbon black 2. two valve system is employed. One of these valves is positioned in the vent conduit and the other is positioned in the product conduit. Upon startup of a furnace it is necessary to open the valve in the vent conduit and close the valve in the product conduit in order to prevent initial combustion products from entering the product gathering conduit. Such systems are inefiicient in operation in that two valves must be actuated each time it is desired to open the vent conduit. In addition the use of two valves affords two locations at which the above described difiiculties can occur.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a single valve which can be employed to establish communication between the product conduit, the vent conduit and the product gathering conduit. The valve of this invention comprises a valve body having two spaced apart valve seats having openings therein and secured to the inner wall of said valve body. A valve head adapted to seat in either of said valve seats is: disposed within said valve body between said valve seats and means are provided for biasing said valve head into engagement with either of said seats. Said valve body is provided with an opening in the wall thereof intermediate said valve seats. Thus, when said valve is employed according to the invention communication can be provided between three different conduits by connecting a first conduit to one end of said valve body and connecting a second conduit to the other end of said valve body. The third conduit can be connected to said valve body at the opening provided in the wall thereof. Thus material flowing through said third con- "ice duit can be diverted into either of said first or said second conduits by biasing the valve head into closed position at the valve seat adjacent the conduit which it is desired to close off.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus for the production of carbon black. Another object of this invention is to provide a single valve which can be employed to establish communication between three difierent conduits whereby flow from one of said conduits can be diverted into either of the other two of said conduits. Still another object of this invention is to provide a valve and conduit system in carbon black producing apparatus whereby the initial production from any of a plurality of carbon black producing furnaces can be passed into a vent conduit or into a single common carbon black gathering conduit as desired. Other aspects, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure.

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a carbon black producing plant.

Figure 2 is an elevation, partly in cross section, illustrating a modification of the valve of the invention employed to establish communication between three different conduits.

Figure 3 is an illustration of another modification of the valve of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an illustration, partly in cross section, of another modification of the valve of the invention employed to establish communication between three different conduits.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are employed to denote like elements, the invention will be more fully described. In Figure l there is shown a schematic representation of two carbon black producing furnaces 10. Each of said furnaces is provided with an inlet line 11 which supplies a hydrocarbon to be reacted, and an inlet line 12 which supplies combustion gases. The eflluent carbon black containing stream from furnaces 10 passes through a water quench section 13 into an elongated sectional conduit 14 which provides atmospheric cooling. Conduit section 14 is connected to conduit section 14 by means of a deflection joint 17 and said conduit section 14 is connected to conduit section 14" by means of a second deflection joint 19. Conduit sections 13, 14, 14' and 14" comprise and are referred to herein as a product conduit. Conduit section 14" is connected into the wall of valve 21 at an opening provided in the wall of said valve. One end of said valve 21 is connected by means of connector spool 22 to product gathering conduit 23. The other end of said valve 21 is connected to vent conduit 24. Furnace 16 and product gathering conduit 23 normally are rigidly positioned. For this reason deflection joints 17 and 19 are provided to compensate for changes in length of the connection conduits due to temperature changes.

Different modifications of valve 21 are illustrated in Figures 2, 3, and 4. The valve 21 comprises a valve body 26 having a first annular valve seat 27 secured to the inner wall of said valve body. A second annular valve seat 28 is secured to the inner wall of said valve bodyand spaced apart from said first annular valve seat to form a chamber 36 between said valve seats. Said valve seats can be attached to the inner wall of said valve body by any suitable means, as by welding, and can be supported by means of gussets 29 as shown. A valve head 31 is disposed within said chamber between said valve seats 27 and 28 and is adapted to seat in either of said valve seats. A first guide member 32 is secured to the inner wall of said valve body 26 at a 3 point adjacent said first valve seat 27 and outside said chamber 39 formed between said valve seats 27 and 28. Said guide member 32 is provided with a perforation or guide sleeve 33 therein. As herein shown said guide member comprises a bar having a centrally disposed ring or sleeve member which forms said perforation 33. Obviously any suitable form of guide'mernber means can be employed. A guide stem 34 is attached at one end -to one side of said valve head 31 and extends slidably through said perforation 33 in said first guide member 23. A valve stem 36 is attached to the other side of said valve head 31 and extends through said second annular valve seat 28 and slidably through a perforation or guide sleeve 37 in a second guide member 38.

In the modification of the valve illustrated in Figure 2 said valve is shown employed to establish communication between a first conduit 22 attached to one end of said valve body 26 adjacent annular valve seat 27. A second conduit 24 is attached to the other end of said valve body 26 adjacent said second annular valve seat 28. One end of valve stem 36 extends into conduit 24. A first rod 39 is pivotally attached at one end to said extended end of valve stem 36 at 41 by means of any suitable linkage. Said first rod 39 extends through an opening 42 provided in the wall of conduit 24 and is pivotally connected at a point 43 intermediate its ends to a support 44 attached to the outer wall of said conduit 24. A second rod 46 is' pivotally connected at one end thereof to the other end of said first rod at 47. Said second rod 46 is pivotally connected at the other end thereof to a rotatable eccentric 48 mounted in support means 49 attached to the outer wall of said valve body 26. A handle 51 is provided for rotating eccentric 48 in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction. Ihus eccentric 48 can be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to complete the lowering of valve head 31 into engagement with annular valve seat 27. When desired to place said valve head 3-1 in engagement with valve seat 28 eccentric 48 can be rotated in a clockwise direction. Key 52 attached to the outer wall of valve body 26 by means of a flexible member, such as chain 53, is provided and is adapted to be inserted in slots 54 provided in eccentric 48 so that said eccentric can be locked in position when valve head 31 is seated in one of said annular valve seats 27 and 28. A third conduit 14" is connected tosaid valve body 26 at an opening 56 provided in the wall of said valve body intermediate said valve seats 27 and 28. Said valve can thus either be employed to establish communication between said first conduit 22 and said third conduit 14", or between said second conduit 24 and said third conduit 14".

An access opening 40, normally closed by cover plate 45 can be provided in conduit 24 if desired.

In Figure 3 there is illustrated another modification of the valve of the invention wherein said valve body 26 is more elongated than in Figure 2 and said valve stem 36 is disposed wholly within said valve body 26. Thus, in this embodiment, said first rod 39 extends through a second opening 57 provided in the wall of said valve body, and is pivotally supported in said second opening at the point 58 intermediate its ends. An access opening 50 (normally closed) can be provided for gaining access to chamber 30 if desired in largevalves. The remainder of the valve illustrated in Figure 3 is like that illustrated in Figure 2.

In some operations, such as in the production of carbon black wherein vent conduit 24 normally vents to the atmosphere during the venting operation, it is not essential that the opening 42 through which first rod 39 extends, be sealed. Thus, in Figures 2 and 3 the opening 42 provided in conduit 24, and the opening 57 provided in valve body 26 are not sealed. However, in some systems and some operations it is desirable that vent conduit 24 not be open to the atmosphere, i.e., the system is vented into a closed system or conduit. In such instances the modification of the valve illustrated in Figure 4 is advantageously employed. In this modification of the valve, a housing .59 is provided to surround opening 42, said housing is closed by a cover plate 61 which can be attached thereto by any convenient means such as'bolts, not shown. A crank shaft 62 is pivotally supported in the walls of and extends through said housing. One end of a rod 63 is pivotally connected at one end to the extended end of valve stem 36 at 41 and is fixed at the other end thereof to said crank shaft 62 within said housing 59. A crank. arm 64 is fixed to one end of said crank shaft outside said housing 59 and is pivotally connected to rod 46 at 47, which in turn is pivotally connected to eccentric 48 as in Figures 2 and 3.

An outstanding advantage of the valve of the invention, more clearly shown in Figure 4, is that when valve head 31 is in seating engagement with either valve seat 27 or valve seat 28, there is provided an unobstructed passage from conduit 14" to the open conduit. This is particularly advantageous in systems where a low pressure drop is desirable.

In operation, the hydrocarbon to be reacted and combustion gases are supplied to furnace 10' through lines 11 and 12 respectively, and efiiuent gases from'furnace 10 having carbon black suspended therein are passed through the product conduit comprising conduits sections 13, 14, 14' and 14" into valve 21. When the furnace is initially started and it is desired to vent the initial products of combustion, eccentric 48 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction which will cause valve head 31 to be seated in annular seat member 27, thus placing product gathering conduit 23 out of communication with said product conduit and placing vent conduit 24 in communication with said product conduit. After operating conditions in said furnace 10 are lined out and the unit is on stream eccentric 48 is rotated in a clockwise direction which will cause valve head 31 to be seated in valve head 28, thus placing vent conduit 24 out of communication with said product conduit and placing said product conduit into communication with said product gathering conduit 23. This same procedure can be employed for any of the plurality of the furnaces 10 connected to product gathering conduit 23.

While various modifications and embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, the invention is not to be limited thereto. Various other modifications can be made or followed by those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure. Such other modifications are within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for the production of carbon black which comprises, in combination: a carbon black producing furnace; a product conduit connected to an outlet from said furnace for conveying gases having carbon black suspended therein from said furnace; a product gathering conduit; a vent conduit; a valve body in communication at one end thereof with said product gathering conduit and in communication at the other end thereof with said vent conduit; a side opening provided in a side Wall of said valve body between said valve body ends and in communication with said product conduit; a first valve seat secured to and extending inwardly from the inner Wall of said valve body adjacent said one end of said body,

and spaced apart from and below said side opening; a second valve seat secured to and extending inwardly from said inner wall of said valve body adjacent said other end of said valve body, and spaced apart from and above said side opening; a valve head disposed within said valve body intermediate said valve seats, said valve head being adapted to seat in either of said valve seats; said first valve seat and said second valve seat each being spaced apart from said opening a distance sufficient to permit said valve head to seat in either of said valve seats and still provide an unobstructed passage from said opening through said chamber; and means for biasing said valve head into seating engagement with one of either of said first valve seat and said second valve seat so as to permit said gases to flow from said product conduit into one of either of said product gathering conduit and said vent conduit.

2. In a system for the production of carbon black wherein there is provided: a carbon black producing furnace; a product conduit connected to a product outlet from said furnace; a product gathering conduit; and a vent conduit; the improvement of a single valve in communication with said product gathering conduit, said vent conduit, and said product conduit, said valve being adapted to permit substantially unobstructed flow of product from said furnace to one of either of said product gathering conduit and said vent conduit, and said valve comprising: a valve body in communication at one end thereof with said product gathering conduit and in communication at the other end thereof with said vent conduit; an opening provided in a side Wall of said valve body intermediate the ends thereof and in communication with said product conduit; a first annular valve seat secured to and extending inwardly from the inner Wall of said valve body; a second annular valve seat secured to and extending inwardly from said inner wall of said valve body, spaced apart from said first valve seat, and forming a chamber between said valve seats; a valve head disposed between said valve seats in said chamber; said first valve seat and said second valve seat each being spaced apart from said opening, on opposite sides thereof, a distance sufiicient to permit said valve head to seat in either of said valve seats and still provide an unobstructed passage from said opening through said chamber and into one of either of said product gathering conduit and said vent conduit; and means for biasing said valve head into seating engagement With either of said first valve and said second valve seats.

3. A valve, particularly adapted for use in a carbon black producing system, said valve comprising: a cylindrical valve body; an opening provided in a side wall of said valve body intermediate the ends thereof; a first annular valve seat secured to and extending inwardly from the inner wall of said valve body; a second annular valve seat secured to and extending inwardly from said inner wall of said valve body, spaced apart from said first valve seat, and together with said first valve seat forming a chamber between said valve seats; a valve head disposed between said valve seats in said chamber and adapted to seat in either of said valve seats; said first valve seat and said second valve seat each being spaced apart from said opening, on opposite sides thereof, a distance suflicient to permit said valve head to seat in either of said valve seats and still provide an unobstructed passage from said opening through said chamber; a first guide member and a second guide member secured to said inner wall of said valve body adjacent said first and second valve seats respectively and without said chamber, each of said guide members having a perforation therein; a guide stem attached at one end to said valve head, the other end extending through said first valve seat and said perforation in said first guide member; a valve stem attached at one end to said valve head, the other end extending through said second valve seat, and the perforation in said second guide member; a first rod pivotally attached at one end to said extended end of said valve stem and extending through a second opening provided in the wall of said valve body, said rod being pivotally connected at a point intermediate its ends to a support attached to said valve body; a second rod pivotally connected at one end thereof to the other end of said first rod and pivotally connected at the other end thereof to a rotatable eccentric supported on the outer wall of said valve body; and means for rotating said eccentric so as to move said valve head into engagement with one of said first and said second valve seats.

4. In a system for the production of carbon black wherein there is provided: a carbon black producing furnace; a product conduit connected to a product outlet from said furnace for conveying gases having carbon black suspended therein from said furnace; a product gathering conduit; and a vent conduit; the improvement of a single valve in communication with said product gathering conduit, said vent conduit, and said product conduit, said valve being adapted to permit substantially unobstructed flow of product from said furnace to one of either of said product gathering conduit and said vent conduit, and said valve comprising: a cylindrical valve body in communication at one end thereof with said product gathering conduit and in communication at the other end thereof with said vent conduit; an opening provided in a side wall of said valve body intermediate the ends thereof and in communication with said product conduit; a first annular valve seat secured to and extending inwardly from the inner wall of said valve body; a second annular valve seat secured to and extending inwardly from said inner wall of said valve body, spaced apart from said first valve seat, and together with said first valve seat forming a chamber between said valve seats; a valve head disposed between said valve seats in said chamber and adapted to seat in either of said valve seats; said first valve seat and said second valve seat each being spaced apart from said opening, on opposite sides thereof, a distance sufiicient to permit said valve head to seat in either of said valve seats and still provide an unobstructed passage from said opening through said chamber; a first guide member and a second guide member secured to said inner wall of said valve body adjacent said first and second valve seats respectively and without said chamber, each of said guide members having a perforation therein; a guide stem attached at one end to said valve head, the other end extending through said first valve seat and said perforation in said first guide member; a valve stem attached at one end to said valve head, the other end extending through said second valve seat, and the perforation in said second guide member; a first rod pivotally attached at one end to said extended end of said valve stem and extending through a second opening provided in the wall of said valve body, said rod being pivotally connected at a point intermediate its ends to a support attached to said valve body; a second rod pivotally connected at one end thereof to the other end of said first rod and pivotally connected at the other end thereof to a rotatable eccentric supported on the outer wall of said valve body; and means for rotating said eccentric so as to move said valve head into engagement with one of said first and said second valve seats.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 17,982 Beebe Feb. 24, 1931 809,261 Hobart Ian. 2, 1906 829,919 Hertzog Aug. 28, 1906 1,918,596 Gill July 18, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS 2,716 Great Britain AD. 1908 141,498 Great Britain Apr. 22, 1920 264,324- Canada Sept. 14, 1926 

1. APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CARBON BLACK WHICH COMPRISES, IN COMBINATION: A CARBON BLACK PRODUCING FURNACE, A PRODUCT CONDUIT CONNECTED TO AN OUTLET FROM SAID FURNACE FOR CONVEYING GASES HAVING CARBON BLACK SUSPENDED THEREIN FROM SAID FURNACE, A PRODUCT GATHERING CONDUIT, A VENT CONDUIT, A VAVE BODY IN COMMUNICATION AT ONE END THEREOF WITH SAID PRODUCT GATHERING CONDUIT AND IN COMMUNICATION AT THE OTHER END THEREOF WITH SAID VENT CONDUIT, A SIDE OPENING PROVIDED IN A SIDE WALL OF SAID VALVE BODY BETWEEN SAID VALVE BODY ENDS AND IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID PRODUCT CONDUIT, A FIRST VALVE SEAT SECURED TO AND EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM THE INNER WALL OF SAID VALVE BODY ADJACENT SAID ONE END OF SAID BODY, AND SPACED APART FROM AND BELOW SAID SIDE OPENING, A SECOND VALVE SEAT SECURED TO AND EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM SAID INNER WALL OF SAID VALVE BODY ADJACENT SAID OTHER END OF SAID VALVE BODY, AND SPACED APART FROM AND ABOVE SAID SIDE OPENING, A VALVE HEAD DISPOSED WITHIN SAID VALVE BODY INTERMEDIATE SAID VALVE SEATS, SAID VALVE HEAD BEING ADAPTED TO SEAT IN EITHER OF SAID VALVE SEATS, SAID FIRST VALVE SEAT AND SAID SECOND VALVE SEAT EACH BEING SPACED APART FROM SAID OPENING A DISTANCE SUFFICIENT TO PERMIT SAID VALVE HEAD TO SEAT IN EITHER OF SAID VALVE SEATS AND STILL PROVIDE AN UNOBSTRUCTED PASSAGE FROM SAID OPENING THROUGH SAID CHAMBER, AND MEANS FOR BIASING SAID VALVE HEAD INTO SEATING ENGAGEMENT WITH ONE OF EITHER OF SAID FIRST VALVE SEAT AND SAID SECOND VALVE SEAT SO AS TO PERMIT SAID FLOW FROM SAID PRODUCT CONDUIT INTO ONE OF EITHER OF SAID PRODUCT GATHERING CONDUIT AND SAID VENT CONDUIT. 